“Ha, Corporal Robert!” exclaimed Sir Hector. “Dae ye mind the day we stormed the barricades afore Maestricht, and me wi’ yon Frenchman’s baggonet through me arrm? If ye hadna been there, I shouldna be here—so, Corporal Bobbie, gi’e’s a grup o’ y’r hand.” The Corporal’s cheek flushed again and his eyes glowed as their fingers gripped, but when he spoke it was to his master. “You rang, Sir John?” “I did, Robert. I desire you to inform us if I was particularly drunk or no last night?” “By no manner o’ means, Sir John.” “You are ready to swear that?” “Bible oath, Sir John!” “I am not often drunk, I believe, Bob?” “Never more than the occasion demands, sir—and then very genteelly!” “When was the last occasion, Bob?” “Two days ago, sir, being the night of the Marquise de Sauvray’s reception.” “Was I—‘genteelly’ so, that night, Bob?” “Maybe a leetle—elevated, sir.” “Yes,” nodded Sir John, “I’ve a dim memory of breaking my cane over the link-boy’s head!” “Link-boy was insolent, sir. Link-boy deserved it.” “I rejoice to know it, Robert. Was there aught else remarkable in my home-coming on this occasion?” “Nothing at all, sir! Though to be sure—you sang——” “Sang, did I?” sighed Sir John. “Anything else, Bob?” “No, sir! Except for gentleman’s perook stuffed into your honour’s right-hand coat-pocket.” “A peruke, Bob? Oh, begad! If we have it still, show it to me!” The imperturbable Robert vanished into Sir John’s bedchamber and instantly returned with the article in question, turning it upon his hand for his master’s inspection. “A brown Ramillie!” mused Sir John. “No, Bob, I don’t seem to know it—it calls up no memory of its erstwhile owner. What sword did I wear that night?” “Your favourite dress sword, sir, with the gold hilt.” “Fetch it, Bob.” The weapon was duly brought and, unsheathing it, Sir John eyed it keenly from pierced shell to glittering point. “Ha!” sighed he, returning blade and scabbard. “What has not been, will be, I fear! A gentleman’s hat out of a window and a gentleman’s peruke in my pocket would seem to indicate a meeting soon or late with some one or other!” “With Viscount Templemore, sir, as I am give to understand.... Young gentleman has been taking of fencing lessons constant ever since,” answered Robert imperturbably. “Templemore!” exclaimed Sir Hector. “Viscount Templemore, is it? Man Jack, ye no can fecht wi’ him, he’s but a lad—a child—a bairn in breeks!” “And but lately from England, eh, Bob?” questioned Sir John. “He has been here scarce a week, sir, I am give to understand.” “Mark that, Hector!” “Man John, what d’ye mean?” “Robert, pray how many duels have I had forced upon me since we came to Paris five years since?” “Twenty-three, Sir John.”